Top business stories of 2012

Glenstrata: While BAE and EADS may have failed to get their merger off the ground, Glenstrata and Xstrata finally sealed their tie-up in November. Shareholders narrowly voted through the £45bn merger - mining's biggest ever deal - but failed to back controversial pay plans. That prompted the resignation of Sir John Bond as Xstrata chairman. The deal between the miner and the Swiss commodities trader created a resources giant that would sit around 13th in the FTSE 100 index.Picture: PA